NEW YORK – Saritha Komatireddy, candidate for New York attorney general and former federal terrorism prosecutor, released the following statement regarding the recent terrorist attacks and threats targeting houses of worship:

“In the last four days, we have learned about two major terrorist attacks, one planned and one carried out, against houses of worship in New York and on the other side of the country. As a federal terrorism prosecutor for more than a decade, I dedicated my career to investigating, prosecuting, and stopping terrorist attacks. I protected Jews, Christians, Muslims, and all New Yorkers against threats like this. I will bring that same dedication to the attorney general’s office and make stopping terrorism and hate crimes a top priority.”

Komatireddy served on the New York Joint Terrorism Task Force for more than a decade as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Eastern District of New York. She said her experience prosecuting terrorism cases and violent extremists gave her firsthand experience confronting the threats facing religious communities and all New Yorkers.

The campaign said combating terrorism, antisemitic violence, and hate crimes will be a major priority of a Komatireddy attorney general’s office, alongside strengthening coordination with federal, state, and local law enforcement to protect houses of worship and all New Yorkers.